Peru’s President Dina Boluarte has declared a 30-day state of emergency in the capital, Lima, following the fatal shooting of popular singer Paul Flores. The decree, announced on Monday, comes in response to a recent surge in violence, including extortion attacks and killings.
The emergency measure will see the deployment of soldiers to assist police in combating crime, while also imposing restrictions on rights such as the freedom of assembly. Additionally, people can be detained without a judicial order.
Public outrage erupted over the weekend after Flores, the 39-year-old lead singer of the cumbia band Armonia 10, was killed on Sunday morning. He was attacked while traveling on a bus with his bandmates after a concert. The band had reportedly been threatened by criminals seeking to extort money from them.
Peru’s culture ministry paid tribute to Flores, stating, “With his talent and charisma, he won the hearts of thousands of Peruvians.”
The violent weekend also saw an explosion at a restaurant on Saturday, injuring at least 11 people. In response to the rising violence, political leaders are expected to discuss a potential vote of no confidence against Interior Minister Juan José Santiváñez, with opposition figures accusing him of lacking an effective strategy to address the crisis.
Boluarte has said she is “seriously considering” the reintroduction of the death penalty.
While parts of Lima have had states of emergency imposed in recent months, this is the first time since 2022 that a full emergency has been declared across the entire capital. Police reported 459 homicides from January 1 to March 16, with 1,909 extortion cases reported in January alone.
